Jakarta, ThedailyID — La Liga president Javier Tebas has rejected a proposal to expand the 2030 FIFA World Cup to 64 teams, warning that the move would harm domestic football and the sport’s long-term sustainability.
The proposal emerged shortly after the conclusion of the FIFA World Cup 2026, which already featured an expanded format of 48 national teams, up from the previous 32.
Speaking to ESPN, Tebas said increasing the tournament to 64 teams would place too much focus on the World Cup at the expense of domestic competitions.
“Expanding the World Cup to 64 national teams would represent the ongoing destruction of the football industry,” Tebas said.
“The football industry is not only the World Cup. It is the biggest event, but everything cannot revolve around it. Domestic competitions are what sustain the sport,” he added.
The 2030 FIFA World Cup will take place across Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, while Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay will each host one commemorative opening match as part of the tournament’s centenary celebrations.
Tebas also criticized FIFA’s recent decisions, pointing to the expansion to 48 teams at the 2026 tournament and the increased use of hydration breaks. He argued that some of those changes appeared to prioritize commercial interests over sporting considerations.
Furthermore, Tebas renewed his criticism of FIFA president Gianni Infantino. He said Infantino should step down after what he described as a series of irresponsible decisions.
“In my opinion, yes, he should resign. I think his time is over,” Tebas said.
However, Tebas acknowledged that Infantino continues to receive strong backing from FIFA’s member associations. He added that no serious challenger has emerged to contest the FIFA presidency.
FIFA has not officially approved a 64-team format for the 2030 World Cup. The governing body has yet to announce whether it will consider the proposal.
